Austrian international goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid has agreed to join Championship side Portsmouth and is set to be announced later this week, according to the Football Insider.
As stated in the article, an agreement has been reached with BW Linz regarding the transfer fee. Schmid has also finalized personal terms and has completed his medical in preparation for his move to the South Coast.
Schmid currently plays his football at BW Linz, a club that plays its football in the first tier of the Austrian Bundesliga. He has started the 2024/25 campaign off for BW Linz still number one between the sticks, playing three games, and keeping two clean sheets in said games. The 27-year-old even registered an assist in the 1-0 win over Austria Vienna, demonstrating his passing abilities.
The former Austria Under-19 international brings experience to Fratton Park, making over 150 professional appearances in goal in his home country across two clubs. He made 50 appearances for LASK, before moving to his hometown club, where he has been for the last six years.
Schmid now looks set to leave his hometown club, with an opportunity in England now being presented to him at Pompey. He will rival Will Norris and Jordan Archer to that number one spot, with Norris starting all three games so far. Archer, another new goalkeeper, has been brought in from fellow Championship side Queens Park Rangers, with the Pompey goalkeeper union now looking complete with the addition of Schmid.
John Mousinho’s team have returned to the Championship after a 13-year absence from the second tier. The Championship new boys haven’t won a game so far, however, they have also not lost a game in the Championship, drawing against two sides who are tipped for a Premier League return this season, Leeds United and Luton Town. Norris kept his first clean sheet of the season against Luton, as both teams played their part in a 0-0 draw.
Portsmouth have been busy on the transfer market, bringing in nine new players as they adapt to life in the Championship. The addition of Schmid will take that up to double figures, with Mousinho looking to complete all business before the looming transfer deadline.
Pompey’s run of fixtures does not get any easier, with match-ups against Middlesbrough, Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion, Burnley and Sheffield United all coming up within the next few weeks.
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Although Mousinho’s squad isn’t as strong as he perhaps would want at this stage, they have proved so far that they will be no pushover in the Championship, holding their own against the aforementioned Leeds and Luton. However, a midweek loss at the hands of Millwall in the Carabao Cup does prove that Pompey do need more strength in numbers. With a league as gruelling as the Championship, Portsmouth will know that they need a few more faces in at Fratton Park before the August 30th deadline.
Portsmouth’s active summer on the transfer front has strengthened their squad for the upcoming league, blending youthful talent with experienced players. Adding a few more signings could offer vital injury cover and ensure they have adequate replacements to manage fatigue and cup competitions.
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